The payment card for asylum seekers has been being tested in four pilot municipalities in Bavaria since the end of March. Not all shops accept the card.
Günzburg district – “So far the card has been well received and we have not been informed of any problems,” was the conclusion of the Günzburg district office when asked by our editorial team. The district has issued almost 600 cards so far. 771 people are on benefits. “The difference arises from the fact that children and young people under the age of 14 do not receive their own card, but are 'booked' onto their parents' card,” explains the press spokesman when asked.
The Günzburg district is one of four pilot municipalities in which the payment card for asylum seekers has been tested since the end of March. The other regions are the Fürstenfeldbruck district, the Traunstein district and the independent city of Straubing.
Test phase of the payment card in Bavaria: Not all shops accept cards
“If problems arise, those affected can contact their respective clerk,” it continues. The payment card also works wherever you can pay with a normal Mastercard. However, it is limited to the legally permissible residence area. Asylum seekers can also withdraw 50 euros per month in cash; the rest of the money goes onto the card.
Payment works smoothly in most shops in the district, such as supermarkets or most restaurants. It gets more difficult at small snack bars and at the bakery. Some still rely on cash. A thrift store for books and one for clothing also state that they unfortunately do not accept payment by card. The reasons given are the lack of technical equipment or the cost of purchasing it. The district office says: “The shops in which payment cannot be made are shops in which payment by card is not possible. That’s what the cash portion is for.”
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Criticism of payment cards from the German Trade Association
Ulrich Binnebößl from the HDE trade association is therefore campaigning for a support program that could make it easier for businesses to switch to card payment. This is particularly important with regard to social department stores or food banks, as he tells the
BR
. He also sees another problem: “The debit cards from American brands are characterized by high costs, which are up to four times higher than the German Girocard. 0.8 to 1.5 percent of sales and that is quite expensive.” He sees the Girocard as a better alternative.
“It is no longer easily possible to transfer money abroad in order to finance criminal trafficking gangs,” said State Secretary Sandro Kirchner at the start of the test phase. There is also criticism from various associations for this. “The fact that refugees transfer significant amounts to their families abroad during their procedure is not proven and is rather absurd,” says Johanna Böhm from the Bavarian Refugee Council.
Associations warn against discrimination
Diakonie also believes that the argument that refugees use their social benefits to finance smuggling gangs is fake - ultimately there is a fundamental mistrust behind it. She fears that the need for advice for refugees will increase. Asylum workers from Bavaria also doubt this system; it does not make integration any easier.
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The Federal Government's Integration Commissioner, Alabali-Radovan, said in an interview with
IPPEN.MEDIA
: "The debate about alleged pull factors that we would supposedly combat with a payment card is not productive." Surveys and studies show that people are not because of fleeing to Germany with the cash. According to her, these cards should not lead to discrimination.
(tkip with dpa)